Lakers Legends James Worthy and Robert Horry Don't Hesitate to Point Out Luka Doncic's Major Flaw After Loss to Suns

NBA: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn
Lakers Legends James Worthy and Robert Horry Don't Hesitate to Point Out Luka Doncic's Major Flaw After Loss to Suns. [photo: Imagn]

LA Lakers superstar Luka Doncic filled up the stat sheet with 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Despite the impressive numbers put up by perennial MVP contender, the Lakers went down 125-108, a loss that ended their seven-game winning run.

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After the game, Lakers legend James Worthy diagnosed what ailed the Lakers in just their second home loss of the season:

"I love Luka (Doncic). I think the ball should be in his hands, but I think a lot of times it's gotta move. It's gotta move early. ... I think sometimes he's trying to get the foul. ... The ball didn't move tonight."
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Robert Horry, another former Laker, jumped on the same thought:

"He's trying to do a little too much, in my opinion. He needs to share the basketball and stop waiting to pass the ball."
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Worthy and Horry, now working as in-game analysts, were spot on with their comments. The offense stagnated while Luka Doncic spent too much time handling the ball. LA decisively lost the assists battle 35-18. Luka Legend led the Lakers with five assists, while Austin Reaves and LeBron James were tied with three apiece.

While the assist numbers were concerning, the turnovers were the biggest reason the Lakers lost. LA committed 21 errors, nine coming from Doncic. The Suns turned those turnovers into 32 points while giving up only 13.

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The Lakers, under JJ Redick, haven't been an elite ball-sharing team. Last season, they averaged 26.0 assists per game, which ranked No. 18 in the NBA. This season, they are 20th with 25.7 apg. What they average in assists per outing isn’t surprising due to their ball-dominant superstars.


Laker's Luka Doncic-led offense one of best in NBA

The assists numbers put the LA Lakers near the bottom 10 of the NBA, but the Luka Doncic-led offense is still elite. Last season, LA’s 115 offensive rating ranked 11th. Doncic played 28 games for the Lakers after the Dallas Mavericks shockingly swapped him for a package centered around Anthony Davis.

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After a full training camp and preseason, the Lakers’ offense with Doncic at the helm has been even better. They have a 118.3 ORTG, the sixth-most efficient in the league.

The Lakers have three ball-dominant superstars who are also some of the best scorers and passers in the game. So while LA’s assists don’t jump off the page, Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves make the offense one of the best in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers Fan? Check out the latest Lakers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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